Single-transport mobile electric power generation

ABSTRACT

A power generation transport includes a gas turbine, an inlet plenum coupled to an intake of the gas turbine, a generator driven by the gas turbine, and an air intake and exhaust module including an air inlet filter housing, an intake air duct coupled to the housing at a first end and to the inlet plenum at a second end, and an exhaust collector coupled to an exhaust of the gas turbine. The transport further includes at least one base frame. The frame mounts and aligns the gas turbine, the inlet plenum, the generator, and the air intake and exhaust module. The intake air duct is mounted on the base frame so as to be disposed underneath the gas turbine, and extend along the base frame from an exhaust end side of the gas turbine to an intake end side, in a longitudinal direction of the power generation transport.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This application is a continuation-in part of U.S. patent applicationSer. No. 16/861,063, filed Apr. 28, 2020 by Jeffrey G. Morris et al. andentitled “Single-Transport Mobile Electric Power Generation,” whichclaims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Application No.62/841,558, filed May 1, 2019 by Jeffrey G. Morris et al. and entitled“Single-Transport Mobile Electric Power Generation,” both of which arehereby incorporated by reference as if reproduced in their entirety.

TECHNICAL FIELD

Embodiments of the invention generally relate to mobile electric powergeneration, and more particularly to gas turbine based mobile electricpower generation using a single trailer configuration that minimizeson-site footprint and increases mobility.

BACKGROUND

Hydraulic fracturing has been commonly used by the oil and gas industryto stimulate production of hydrocarbon wells, such as oil and/or gaswells. Hydraulic fracturing, sometimes called “fracing” or “fracking,”is the process of injecting fracturing fluid, which is typically amixture of water, sand, and chemicals, into the subsurface to fracturethe subsurface geological formations and release otherwise encapsulatedhydrocarbon reserves. The fracturing fluid is typically pumped into awellbore at a relatively high pressure sufficient to cause fissureswithin the underground geological formations. Specifically, once insidethe wellbore, the pressurized fracturing fluid is pressure pumped downand then out into the subsurface geological formation to fracture theunderground formation. A fluid mixture that may include water, variouschemical additives, and proppants (e.g., sand or ceramic materials) canbe pumped into the underground formation to fracture and promote theextraction of the hydrocarbon reserves, such as oil and/or gas. Forexample, the fracturing fluid may comprise a liquid petroleum gas,linear gelled water, gelled water, gelled oil, slick water, slick oil,poly emulsion, foam/emulsion, liquid carbon dioxide, nitrogen gas,and/or binary fluid and acid.

Implementing large-scale fracturing operations at well sites typicallyrequire extensive investment in equipment, labor, and fuel. Forinstance, a typical fracturing operation uses a variety of fracturingequipment, numerous personnel to operate and maintain the fracturingequipment, large amounts of fuel to power the fracturing operations, andlarge volumes of fracturing fluids. As such, planning for fracturingoperations is often complex and encompasses a variety of logisticalchallenges that include minimizing the on-site area or “footprint” ofthe fracturing operations, providing adequate power and/or fuel tocontinuously power the fracturing operations, increasing the efficiencyof the hydraulic fracturing equipment, and reducing any environmentalimpact resulting from fracturing operations. Thus, numerous innovationsand improvements of existing fracturing technology are needed to addressthe variety of complex and logistical challenges faced in today'sfracturing operations.

SUMMARY

The following presents a simplified summary of the disclosed subjectmatter in order to provide a basic understanding of some aspects of thesubject matter disclosed herein. This summary is not an exhaustiveoverview of the technology disclosed herein. It is not intended toidentify key or critical elements of the invention or to delineate thescope of the invention. Its sole purpose is to present some concepts ina simplified form as a prelude to the more detailed description that isdiscussed later.

In one embodiment, a power generation transport includes: a gas turbine;an inlet plenum coupled to an intake of the gas turbine; a generatordriven by the gas turbine; an air intake and exhaust module including:an air inlet filter housing; an intake air duct coupled to the air inletfilter housing at a first end and to the inlet plenum at a second end;and an exhaust collector coupled to an exhaust of the gas turbine; andat least one base frame, wherein the at least one base frame mounts andaligns the gas turbine, the inlet plenum, the generator, and the airintake and exhaust module of the power generation transport.

In another embodiment, an apparatus for providing mobile electric powercomprises: a power generation transport including: a generator; a powersource configured to drive the generator; an air inlet filter housingdisposed on an exhaust end side of the power source; an inlet plenumcoupled to the air inlet filter housing, and configured for providingair to the power source, wherein the inlet plenum is disposed on anintake end side of the power source; an intake air duct coupled to theair inlet filter housing at a first end thereof and to the inlet plenumat a second end; an exhaust collector configured for collecting exhaustfrom the power source, and disposed on the exhaust end side of the powersource; wherein the air inlet filter housing, the inlet plenum, theexhaust collector, the power source, and the generator are mounted onthe power generation transport.

In yet another embodiment, a method for providing mobile electric powerincludes: setting an air inlet filter housing door at an end surface ofa power generation transport to an open position in an operational modeof the power generation transport; supplying air to a gas turbinedisposed on the power generation transport via an intake air flowpassage, the intake air flow passage being defined by the air inletfilter housing, an intake air duct, and an inlet plenum, wherein the airinlet filter housing is disposed on an exhaust end side of the gasturbine, the intake air duct is coupled to the air inlet filter housingat a first end and to the inlet plenum at a second end, and the inletplenum is disposed on an intake end side of the gas turbine; generatingelectricity by operating a generator disposed on the power generationtransport with mechanical energy generated by operation of the gasturbine; expelling exhaust air from the gas turbine via an exhaust airflow passage, the exhaust air flow passage being defined by an exhaustcollector disposed on the exhaust end side of the gas turbine, theexhaust air flow passage extending from an exhaust of the gas turbine,passing through a flow passage of the exhaust collector, and ending atan exhaust air outlet disposed on a ceiling of an enclosure of the powergeneration transport, wherein the air inlet filter housing is disposedat the exhaust end side of the gas turbine, and wherein the intake airflow passage passes underneath the exhaust collector and the gas turbinefrom the exhaust end side to the intake end side.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

For a more complete understanding of this disclosure, reference is nowmade to the following brief description, taken in connection with theaccompanying drawings and detailed description, wherein like referencenumerals represent like parts.

FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram of a mobile hydraulic fracturing systemoperating at a well site, in accordance with one or more embodiments.

FIGS. 2A-2B are schematic diagrams showing side-profile views of a powergeneration transport, in accordance with one or more embodiments.

FIGS. 3A-3B are schematic diagrams showing top-profile views of a powergeneration transport, in accordance with one or more embodiments.

FIGS. 4 and 5 are schematic diagram showing perspective views of a powergeneration transport, in accordance with one or more embodiments.

FIG. 6A is a schematic diagram showing a perspective view of an airintake and exhaust module disposed on a power generation transport inaccordance with one or more embodiments, while the power generationtransport is in an operational mode.

FIG. 6B is a schematic diagram showing a perspective view of anembodiment of an air intake and exhaust module disposed on a powergeneration transport in accordance with one or more embodiments, whilethe power generation transport is in a transportation mode.

FIG. 7 is a schematic diagram showing a perspective view of anotherembodiment of an intake and exhaust module of a power generationtransport equipped with a heat exchanger.

FIG. 8A is a schematic diagram showing a perspective view of anotherembodiment of a power generation transport.

FIG. 8B is a schematic diagram showing a top-profile view of anotherembodiment of the power generation transport.

FIG. 9 is a flow chart of an embodiment of a method to provide a mobilesource of electricity for various applications (e.g., hydraulicfracturing at a well site).

While certain embodiments will be described in connection with theillustrative embodiments shown herein, the invention is not limited tothose embodiments. On the contrary, all alternatives, modifications, andequivalents are included within the spirit and scope of the invention asdefined by the claims. In the drawings, which are not to scale, the samereference numerals are used throughout the description and in thedrawing figures for components and elements having the same structure.

DESCRIPTION

In the following description, for purposes of explanation, numerousspecific details are set forth in order to provide a thoroughunderstanding of the inventive concept. In the interest of clarity, notall features of an actual implementation are described. Moreover, thelanguage used in this disclosure has been principally selected forreadability and instructional purposes, and may not have been selectedto delineate or circumscribe the inventive subject matter, resort to theclaims being necessary to determine such inventive subject matter.Reference in this disclosure to “one embodiment” or to “an embodiment”or “another embodiment” means that a particular feature, structure, orcharacteristic described in connection with the embodiment is includedin at least one embodiment of the invention, and multiple references to“one embodiment” or “an embodiment” or “another embodiment” should notbe understood as necessarily all referring to the same embodiment.

The terms “a,” “an,” and “the” are not intended to refer to a singularentity unless explicitly so defined, but include the general class ofwhich a specific example may be used for illustration. The use of theterms “a” or “an” may therefore mean any number that is at least one,including “one,” “one or more,” “at least one,” and “one or more thanone.” The term “or” means any of the alternatives and any combination ofthe alternatives, including all of the alternatives, unless thealternatives are explicitly indicated as mutually exclusive. The phrase“at least one of” when combined with a list of items, means a singleitem from the list or any combination of items in the list. The phrasedoes not require all of the listed items unless explicitly so defined.

As used herein, the term “transport” refers to any transportationassembly, including, but not limited to, a trailer, truck, skid, and/orbarge used to transport relatively heavy structures, such as a mobilegas turbine generator.

As used herein, the term “trailer” refers to a transportation assemblyused to transport relatively heavy structures, such as a mobile gasturbine generator that can be attached and/or detached from atransportation vehicle used to pull or move the trailer. In oneembodiment, the trailer may include the mounts and manifold systems toconnect the trailer to other equipment.

As used herein, the term “gas turbine generator” refers to both the gasturbine and the generator sections of a gas-turbine generator transport(e.g., power generation transport, mobile source of electricity, turbinepackage, and turbine trailer). The gas turbine generator receiveshydrocarbon fuel, such as natural gas, and converts the hydrocarbon fuelinto electricity.

As used herein, the term “inlet plenum” may be interchanged andgenerally referred to as “inlet”, “air intake,” and “intake plenum,”throughout this disclosure. Additionally, the term “exhaust collector”may be interchanged throughout and generally referred to as “exhaustdiffuser” and “exhaust plenum” throughout this disclosure.

As used herein, the term “gas turbine inlet filter” may be interchangedand generally referred to as “inlet filter” and “inlet filter assembly.”The term “air inlet filter housing” may also be interchanged andgenerally referred to as “filter housing” and “air filter assemblyhousing” throughout this disclosure.

This disclosure pertains to a mobile source of electricity that may beconfigured to provide mobile electric power for different applicationsor use cases. The mobile source of electricity may be implemented usinga single transport (e.g., single trailer or truck) to reduce its“footprint” at a work site. The transport (e.g., power generationtransport, gas turbine generator transport, and the like) may comprise agas turbine and generator along with other equipment to supply electricpower for different applications requiring a mobile source ofelectricity (e.g., well sites, data centers, agricultural applications,and the like). For example, the power generation transport may compriseone or more of a black start generator; control cabinets includingvariable frequency drives (VFDs); controls room; control system; switchgear; generator; turbine starter electric motor; gearbox; air intake orinlet plenum; gas turbine; and an air intake and exhaust module thatincludes a plurality of components including gas turbine air inletfilter housing, filter housing door, turbine intake air duct, exhaustcollector, and exhaust stack. The power generation transport may furthercomprise additional ancillary equipment to produce electric power like agas conditioning unit, breaker, transformer, and the like.

The power generation transport may be configured to be ‘self-sufficient’such that it can be quickly mobilized and de-mobilized without requiringuse of external mechanical means or apparatus. For example, afterreaching a remote site where a mobile source of electricity is required,the power generation transport can be quickly converted from atransportation mode to an operational mode by, e.g., opening the door ofthe air inlet filter housing and the exhaust flap, and further supplyinghydrocarbon fuel to the turbine. The gas turbine of the power generationtransport may then be operated to generate electricity. After the mobilesource of electricity is no longer required at the remote site, thepower generation transport can be quickly mobilized to be in thetransportation mode without use of any external mechanical apparatus. Inthe operational mode, the power generation transport may produceelectric power in the range of about 1-16 megawatts (MW) (e.g., 5.6 MW,7.9 MW, etc.).

The air intake and exhaust module of the power generation transport maybe modular and compact, and may be disposed on the exhaust end side ofthe gas turbine on the rear end of the transport. The air intake andexhaust module may be integrally formed or may comprise a plurality ofcomponents that are coupled together to provide filtered intake air forcombustion by the gas turbine and vent exhaust air from the turbine tosafely release heated exhaust air into the atmosphere. The plurality ofcomponents of the air intake and exhaust module may include an air inletfilter housing for filtering outside air for combustion by the gasturbine; an intake air duct (e.g., passage, vent, tube, and the like)for flowing the filtered air to the intake port (e.g., flange faceopening) of the turbine; an exhaust collector and an exhaust stack forventing the exhaust air from the turbine from the roof of the enclosure.The power generation transport may be configured such that the inletplenum of the gas turbine is fluidly coupled to the air inlet filterhousing of the air intake and exhaust module via the intake air flowduct, and the exhaust end (e.g., exhaust port, exhaust diffuser,exhaust, and the like) of the gas turbine is fluidly coupled to theexhaust collector of the air intake and exhaust module. The air intakeand exhaust module may be disposed on the exhaust end side of theturbine so that both an intake air flow path and an exhaust air flowpath defined by the air intake and exhaust module may begin on the same(e.g., rear or exhaust end) side of the gas turbine, with the intake airflow path passing underneath the turbine and the exhaust collector fromthe exhaust side to the intake side of the turbine to be fed into theinlet plenum.

That is, the intake air duct of the air intake and exhaust module may bedisposed between the gas turbine and a trailer bed frame of the powergeneration transport so as to run along the trailer bed frame from theexhaust end side of the gas turbine to the intake end side, and to allowfiltered intake combustion air to flow underneath the turbine and intothe inlet plenum on the intake port side. This intake air may then passthrough the turbine during power generation, and be released as exhaustair into the exhaust collector via the exhaust end of the turbine. Theair inlet filter housing of the air intake and exhaust module may thusbe provided on a side of the gas turbine that is opposite to the airintake side thereof. The exhaust collector may be fixedly and fluidlycoupled with an exhaust stack (or integrally formed therewith) on a topside thereof, and a flap or lid may cover the opening at the top of theexhaust stack so as to be flush with the roof of the enclosure of thetransport.

Although the power generation transport has been described as beingequipped with a single train of components (e.g., train of componentsincluding generator, gear box, inlet plenum, gas turbine, and the airintake and exhaust module) disposed at a rear end of the transport, thismay not necessarily be the case. In some embodiments, the powergeneration transport may be equipped with two independent trains ofcomponents respectively disposed at the front and the rear ends of thetransport to provide a power generation system with total redundancy ofcomponents. That is, the transport may be equipped with two generators,two gear boxes, two inlet plenums, two gas turbines, and two air intakeand exhaust modules, such that the two air intake and exhaust modulesare respectively disposed at the front and rear ends of the transport. Acontrol system disposed on the power generation transport may thenoperate the two independent power generation trains in conjunction witha load distribution system (e.g., control system) to achieve anindependent operation of the two trains, or a synchronized operationwith load balancing or load sharing. In some embodiments, the exhaustcollector of the air intake and exhaust module may be equipped with aheat exchanger component disposed in the air passage between the exhaustend of the gas turbine and the exhaust air outlet at the roof of thetransport to recapture heat energy from the heated exhaust air and usethe heat energy for different applications or use cases.

The mobile source of electricity may have different applications. Forexample, one or more instances of the transport may power electrichydraulic fracturing operations for one or more well sites by providingelectric power to a variety of fracturing equipment located at the wellsites. The different fracturing equipment, which include, but are notlimited to, a blender, hydration unit, fracturing pump transport, sandhandling equipment, chemical additive system, and the mobile source ofelectricity, may be configured to operate remotely via a control networksystem that monitors and controls the fracturing equipment using acommunication network. In other embodiments, the power generationtransport may be implemented to provide electric power for otherapplications (e.g., industrial, mining, commercial, civilian,agricultural, manufacturing, and the like) where mobile electric poweris needed and where the requisite hydrocarbon fuel (e.g., natural gas)required to power the power generation transport is available.

FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram of an embodiment of well site 100 whichcomprises wellhead 101 and mobile fracturing system 103 that relies onmobile electric power generation to power a fracturing operation.Generally, mobile fracturing system 103 may perform fracturingoperations to complete a well and/or transform a drilled well into aproduction well. For example, well site 100 may be a site whereoperators are in the process of drilling and completing a well.Operators may start the well completion process with drilling, runningproduction casing, and cementing within the wellbore. The operators mayalso insert a variety of downhole tools into the wellbore and/or as partof a tool string used to drill the wellbore. After the operators drillthe well to a certain depth, a horizontal portion of the well may alsobe drilled and subsequently encased in cement. The operators maysubsequently remove the rig, and mobile fracturing system 103 may bemoved onto well site 100 to perform fracturing operations that forcerelatively high pressure fracturing fluid through wellhead 101 intosubsurface geological formations to create fissures and cracks withinthe rock. Fracturing system 103 may be moved off well site 100 once theoperators complete the fracturing operations. Typically, fracturingoperations for well site 100 may last several days.

To provide an environmentally cleaner and more transportable fracturingfleet, mobile fracturing system 103 may comprise mobile source ofelectricity 102 (e.g., one or more instances of the power generationtransport shown in FIGS. 2A-8B) configured to generate electricity byburning hydrocarbon fuel, such as natural gas, obtained from one or moreother sources (e.g., a producing wellhead) at well site 100, from aremote offsite location, and/or another relatively convenient locationnear mobile source of electricity 102. Improving mobility of mobilefracturing system 103 may be beneficial because fracturing operations ata well site typically last for several days and the fracturing equipmentis subsequently removed from the well site after completing fracturingoperation. Rather than using fuel that is costly and significantlyimpacts air quality (e.g., diesel fuel) as a source of power and/orreceiving electric power from a grid or other type of stationary powergeneration facility (e.g., located at the well site or offsite), mobilefracturing system 103 utilizes mobile source of electricity 102 runningon natural gas as a power source that may already be freely available atwellsite 100 and that burns cleaner. The generated electricity frommobile source of electricity 102 may be supplied to fracturing equipmentto power fracturing operations at one or more well sites, or to otherequipment in various types of applications requiring mobile electricpower generation. Mobile source of electricity 102 may be implemented asa single power generation transport in order to reduce the well sitefootprint and provide the ability for operators to easily move mobilesource of electricity 102 to different well sites and/or differentfracturing jobs and/or different physical locations along with othercomponents of system 103. Although not shown in FIG. 1, multipleinstances of mobile source of electricity 102 (e.g., multiple powergeneration transports) may be utilized in order to generate the adequateamount of power needed for the hydraulic fracturing operations.Configuration and method of operation of mobile source of electricity102 is described in more detail in connection with FIGS. 2A-9. Mobilesource of electricity 102 is not limited for use in fracturingoperations and may be applicable to power other types of equipment andfor other applications (e.g., industrial, mining, commercial, civilian,agricultural, manufacturing, and the like). The use and discussion ofFIG. 1 is only an example to facilitate ease of description andexplanation of mobile source of electricity 102.

In addition to mobile source of electricity 102, mobile fracturingsystem 103 may include switch gear transport 112, at least one blendertransport 110, at least one data van 114, and one or more fracturingpump transports 108 that deliver fracturing fluid through wellhead 101to subsurface geological formations. Switch gear transport 112 mayreceive electricity generated from mobile source of electric power 102via one or more electrical connections. In one embodiment, switch geartransport 112 may use 13.8 kilovolts (kV) electrical connections toreceive power from mobile source of electricity 102. Switch geartransport 112 may comprise a plurality of electrical disconnectswitches, fuses, transformers, and/or circuit protectors to protect thefracturing equipment. The switch gear transport 112 may transfer theelectricity received from the mobile source of electricity 102 to theelectrically connected fracturing equipment of mobile fracturing system103. Switch gear transport 112 may further comprise a control system tocontrol, monitor, and provide power to the electrically connectedfracturing equipment.

In one embodiment, switch gear transport 112 may receive an electricalconnection at a first voltage and perform one or more voltage step downor voltage step up operations (e.g., using one or more transformersdisposed on transport 112) before providing the converted voltage toother fracturing equipment, such as fracturing pump transport 108,blender transport 110, sand storage and conveyor, hydration equipment,chemical equipment, data van 114, lighting equipment, and any additionalauxiliary equipment of system 103 used for the fracturing operations.The control system may be configured to connect to a control networksystem such that switch gear transport 112 may be monitored and/orcontrolled from a distant location, such as data van 114 or some othertype of control center. Alternately, switch gear transport 112 maysimply pass through a voltage to downstream equipment (e.g., frac pumptransport 108), and the downstream equipment may include one or moretransformers to perform any voltage conversion operations (e.g., convert13.8 kV voltage to lower voltage levels like 4.8 kV, 600 V, and thelike) to power downstream frac equipment. In some embodiments, one ormore components of switch gear transport 112 may be disposed on mobilesource of electricity 102, and switch gear transport 112 may be omittedfrom system 103.

Fracturing pump transport 108 may receive the electric power from switchgear transport 112 (or from mobile source of electricity 102) to power aprime mover. The prime mover converts electric power to mechanical powerfor driving one or more pumps. In one embodiment, the prime mover may bea dual shaft electric motor that drives two different pumps. Fracturingpump transport 108 may be arranged such that one pump is coupled toopposite ends of the dual shaft electric motor and avoids coupling thepumps in series. By avoiding coupling the pump in series, fracturingpump transport 108 may continue to operate when either one of the pumpsfails or have been removed from fracturing pump transport 108.Additionally, repairs to the pumps may be performed withoutdisconnecting the system manifolds that connect fracturing pumptransport 108 to other fracturing equipment within mobile fracturingsystem 103 and wellhead 101.

Blender transport 110 may receive electric power fed through switch geartransport 112 to power a plurality of electric blenders. A plurality ofprime movers may drive one or more pumps that pump source fluid andblender additives (e.g., sand) into a blending tub, mix the source fluidand blender additives together to form fracturing fluid, and dischargethe fracturing fluid to fracturing pump transport 108. In oneembodiment, the electric blender may be a dual configuration blenderthat comprises electric motors for the rotating machinery that arelocated on a single transport, which is described in more detail in U.S.Pat. No. 9,366,114, filed Apr. 6, 2012 by Todd Coli et al. and entitled“Mobile, Modular, Electrically Powered System for use in FracturingUnderground Formations,” which is herein incorporated by reference inits entirety. In another embodiment, a plurality of enclosed mixerhoppers may be used to supply the proppants and additives into aplurality of blending tubs.

Data van 114 may be part of a control network system, where data van 114acts as a control center configured to monitor and provide operatinginstructions to remotely operate blender transport 110, mobile source ofelectricity 102, and fracturing pump transport 108 and/or otherfracturing equipment within mobile fracturing system 103. For example,data van 114 may communicate via the control network system with thevariable frequency drives (VFDs) located within system 103 that operateand monitor the health of the electric motors used to drive the pumps onfracturing pump transports 108. In one embodiment, data van 114 maycommunicate with the variety of fracturing equipment using a controlnetwork system that has a ring topology. A ring topology may reduce theamount of control cabling used for fracturing operations and increasethe capacity and speed of data transfers and communication. Otherfracturing equipment shown in FIG. 1, such as water tanks, chemicalstorage of chemical additives, hydration unit, sand conveyor, andsandbox storage are known by persons of ordinary skill in the art, andtherefore are not discussed in further detail.

Although FIG. 1 describes mobile source of electricity 102 as being partof mobile fracturing system 103 for performing electric hydraulicfracturing operations at well site 101, mobile source of electricity 102may also be used for any other application where a mobile source ofelectricity is required. Mobile source of electricity 102 may beconfigured to be transportable to different locations. Once the mobilesource of electricity is no longer required at a given location, it maybe easily transported to a new location where such mobile source ofelectricity is now required. Regardless of the application, the mobilesource of electricity may include a power generation transport that isconfigured as a single transport that improves mobility and providesreduced onsite footprint.

FIGS. 2A-2B are schematic diagrams showing a side-profile view of powergeneration transport 200 (e.g., gas turbine generator transport, mobilesource of electricity 102, and the like), in accordance with one or moreembodiments. FIGS. 3A-3B are schematic diagrams showing a top-profileview of power generation transport 200, in accordance with one or moreembodiments. And FIGS. 4-5 are schematic diagrams showing differentperspective views of power generation transport 200, in accordance withone or more embodiments. Note that components in common between FIGS.2A-5 are denoted by the same reference numerals, and repetition ofdescription thereof is omitted. In addition, to facilitate ease ofdescription and explanation, not all components of power generationtransport 200 are shown in each of FIGS. 2A-5. The different views andrespective components of power generation transport 200 shown in each ofFIGS. 2A-5 are to be considered as illustrative and not restrictive, andthe intention is not to be limited to the details given herein. Thedifferent views shown in FIGS. 2A-5 illustrate power generationtransport 200 with an enclosure thereof removed. That is, FIGS. 2A-5depict components within the enclosure (not shown) of power generationtransport 200.

As shown in one or more of FIGS. 2A-5, power generation transport 200may comprise the following equipment or components: black startgenerator 210; control cabinets 215; switch gear (e.g., one or moretransformers) 220; generator 225; starter electric motor 230; gearbox235; inlet plenum 240; power source (e.g., gas turbine) 245; air intakeand exhaust module 250; and air outlet cover (e.g., flap, hood, door andthe like) 275. Air intake and exhaust module 250 may include air inletfilter housing 255, air inlet filter housing door (e.g., hood, cover,and the like) 270, intake air duct including one or more duct portions260, exhaust collector 265, exhaust stack 266, and exhaust air outlet274 (FIG. 6B). In addition, power generation transport 200 of FIGS. 2A-5may be equipped with a ventilation and cooling system including one ormore generator air outlets 226A (FIGS. 3A-3B); one or more ventilationand cooling air intake louvers 285 (FIGS. 2A, 2B, 4); one or moreexhaust openings 280 (e.g., passages, channels, and the like);ventilation and cooling air fans and electric motors (not shown)disposed in exhaust openings 280; and one or more air outlets 273 (seeFIG. 6B).

Other components not specifically labeled in FIGS. 2A-5, but which mayalso be located on power generation transport 200 include a gasconditioning system, a generator shaft, a generator breaker, atransformer, a control system, a controls room, a turbine lube oilsystem, a fire suppression system, a generator lube oil system, and thelike. In one embodiment, power source 245 may be a gas turbine. Inanother embodiment, power source 245 may be another type of power source(e.g., internal combustion engine, diesel engine, and the like). Powersource 245 is hereinafter referred to interchangeably as gas turbine245. However, as stated above, power source 245 may correspond to othertypes of turbine or non-turbine-based power sources that are capable ofgenerating sufficient mechanical energy for operating generator 225.

In one embodiment, gas turbine 245, gearbox 235, generator 225, andother components of power generation transport 200 shown in FIGS. 2A-5may be supported on power generation transport 200 by being mounted onan engineered base frame 202, a sub-base, sub-skid, or any othersub-structure of power generation transport 200. The single engineeredbase frame 202 may be used to mount and to align the connections betweengas turbine 245, gearbox 235, generator 225, inlet plenum 240, and oneor more components of air intake and exhaust module 250 including airinlet filter housing 255, intake air duct 260 including one or more ductportions, and exhaust collector 265. In addition, base frame 202 maymount the various components thereon at a predetermined height from base202 so as to create a clearance for intake air duct 260 of air intakeand exhaust module 250 which may be disposed between gas turbine 245 andbed frame 202 and which may run along bed frame 202 from the exhaustside of gas turbine 245 to the intake end side thereof and be fluidlycoupled to inlet plenum 240. Engineered base frame 202 may allow foreasier alignment and connection of gas turbine 245, gearbox 235, andgenerator 225, air intake and exhaust module 250 and other components ofpower generation transport 200 compared to using a separate sub-base forgas turbine 245 and generator 225. Other embodiments of power generationtransport 200 may use a plurality of sub-bases so as to, for example,mount gas turbine 245 and gearbox 235 on one sub-base and mountgenerator 225 on another sub-base.

As shown in one or more of FIGS. 2A-5, gas conditioning components (notshown), black start generator 210, control cabinet (e.g., control systemor controls room) 215, switch gear 220, and starter electric motor 230may also be disposed on power generation transport 200 (e.g., by beingmounted on base frame 202). The gas conditioning components (e.g., gasconditioning unit or system) may be adapted to receive hydrocarbon gas(e.g., natural gas) from a hydrocarbon fuel source (e.g., a gaspipeline). The gas conditioning components may be disposed on powergeneration transport 200 or on a separate transport or trailer,sub-base, sub-skid, or any other sub-structure, and may be configured toprovide hydrocarbon gas for operation of gas turbine 245. The gasconditioning components may include a gas conditioning system thatregulates hydrocarbon gas pressures, heats the hydrocarbon gas,separates out liquids from the hydrocarbon gas (e.g., water), and/orfilters out unwanted contaminants (e.g., sand) from the hydrocarbon gas.The gas conditioning components may also include a compression systemthat utilizes an electric motor to drive one or more compressors tocompress the hydrocarbon gas to a designated pressure (e.g., about 300pounds per square inch (PSI)). The gas conditioning components maysubsequently output the processed hydrocarbon gas to a gas storagesystem that siphons a portion of the processed hydrocarbon gas to fillone or more gas storage tanks (not shown). Prior to storing theprocessed hydrocarbon gas within the gas storage tanks, the gas storagesystem may further compress the hydrocarbon gas to a relatively higherpressure level (e.g., about 3,000 PSI or 5,000 PSI). The remainingportion of the processed hydrocarbon gas bypasses any additionalprocessing by the gas conditioning components and may be directly outputto gas turbine 245 for electric power generation. When the pressure ofthe hydrocarbon gas received by the compression system of the gasconditioning components starts to drop below a predetermined backuppressure (e.g., about 500 PSI), the gas storage system of theconditioning skid may release the hydrocarbon gas stored within the gasstorage tanks so as to output hydrocarbon gas that is free ofcontaminants to gas turbine 245 at a regulated and acceptable pressurelevel.

Black start generator 210 may be configured to provide power to control,ignite, or start gas turbine 245. In addition, black start generator 210may provide ancillary power where peak electric power demand exceeds theelectric power output of power generation transport 200. Black startgenerator 210 may comprise a diesel generator that may provide testing,standby, peaking, and/or other emergency backup power functionality forpower generation transport 200 or other equipment powered by powergeneration transport 200. The Generator breaker (not labeled) maycomprise one or more circuit breakers that are configured to protectgenerator 225 from current and/or voltage fault conditions. Thegenerator breaker may be a medium voltage (MV) circuit breakerswitchboard. In one embodiment, the generator breaker may include threepanels, two for generator 225 and one for a feeder that protect relayson the circuit breaker. Other embodiments may include one or two or morethan three panels for the generator breaker. In one embodiment, thegenerator breaker may be a vacuum circuit breaker.

Switch gear 220 may include a step-down transformer that is configuredto lower generator 225 voltage to a lower voltage to provide controlpower to power generation transport 200. Gearbox 235 is provided toreduce the output rpm of turbine 245 to the operational rpm of generator225. Starter motor 230 may be a motor (e.g., electric motor, hydraulicmotor, air motor, and the like) coupled to gearbox 235 and/or gasturbine 245 to start operation of turbine 245. Control cabinet 215 maybe a section of power generation transport 200 that houses all theelectronics and controls of generator 225 and turbine 245. Controlcabinet 215 may include a control system configured to control, monitor,regulate, and adjust power output of gas turbine 245 and generator 225.For example, in the embodiment where power generation transport 200 isimplemented to provide a remote source of power, the control system maymonitor and balance the load produced by the power consuming system orequipment, and generate electric power to match load demands. Thecontrol system may also be configured to synchronize and communicatewith a control network system that allows a data van or other computingsystems located in a remote location (e.g., off a well site) to control,monitor, regulate, and adjust power output of generator 225. AlthoughFIGS. 2A-5 illustrate black start generator 210, control cabinet 215,switch gear 220, and starter electric motor 230 may be mounted on baseframe 202 of power generation transport 200, other embodiments of powergeneration transport 200 may mount one or more of these components inother locations (e.g. on switch gear transport 112).

Other equipment that may also be located on power generation transport200, but not specifically labeled or shown in FIGS. 2A-5 include theturbine lube oil system, gas fuel valves, generator lube oil system,gearbox lube oil system, and fire suppression system. The lube oilsystems or consoles, which generally refer to both the turbine lube oilsystem, gearbox lube oil system, landing & leveling legs and associatedhydraulics and generator lube oil system within this disclosure, may beconfigured to provide a generator lube oil filtering and cooling systemand a turbine lube oil filtering and cooling system. In one embodiment,the turbine lube oil console area of the transport may also contain thefire suppression systems, which may comprise sprinklers, water mist,clean agent, foam sprinkler, carbon dioxide, and/or other equipment usedto suppress a fire or provide fire protection for gas turbine 245. Themounting of the turbine, gearbox & generator lube oil consoles and thefire suppression system onto power generation transport 200 reduces thistransport's footprint by eliminating the need for an auxiliary transportand connections for the turbine, gearbox and generator lube oil,filtering, cooling systems and the fire suppression systems to gasturbine generator transport 200. The turbine, gearbox, and generatorlube oil systems may be mounted on a skid that is located underneathgenerator 225 or any other location on power generation transport 200.

Gas turbine 245 may be a General Electric (GE) turbine to generatemechanical energy (i.e., rotation of a shaft) from a hydrocarbon fuelsource, such as natural gas, liquefied natural gas, condensate, and/orother liquid fuels. As generally shown in FIGS. 2A, 2B, 4, and 5, ashaft of gas turbine 245 is connected to gearbox 235 and generator 225such that generator 225 converts the supplied mechanical energy fromrotation of the shaft of gas turbine 245 to produce electric power. Gasturbine 245 may be a commercially available gas turbine such as aGeneral Electric gas turbine, a Pratt and Whitney gas turbine, a Siemensgas turbine, a Baker Hughes gas turbine, or any other similar gasturbine. Generator 225 may be a commercially available generator such asa Brush generator, a WEG generator, or other similar generatorconfigured to generate a compatible amount of electric power. Forexample, the combination of gas turbine 245, gearbox 235, and generator225 disposed on power generation transport 200 may generate electricpower from a range of at least about 1 megawatt (MW) to about 16 MW(e.g., 5.6 MW, 7.9 MW, and the like). Other types of gasturbine/generator combinations with power ranges greater than about 16MW or less than about 1 MW may also be used depending on the applicationrequirement.

As explained previously, air intake and exhaust module 250 may bemodular and compact, and disposed on the rear end of transport 200. Airintake and exhaust module 250 may be configured so that it can be easilyreplaced by sliding a replacement components of air intake and exhaustmodule 250 at the rear end of transport 200. Air intake and exhaustmodule 250 may be integrally formed or may comprise a plurality ofcomponents that are coupled together at the rear end of transport 200.Air intake and exhaust module 250 may be configured to provide filteredair for combustion by gas turbine 245 and to safely vent hot exhaust airfrom turbine 245 via exhaust collector 265, exhaust stack 266, and airoutlet 274. Further, the ventilation and cooling system disposed onpower generation transport 200 may be configured to intake ambient airfrom the sides, and/or ends of the transport for ventilating an interiorof an enclosure or compartment (not shown) of power generation transport200, and for using the ambient fresh air to cool components (e.g.,generator 225, gear box 235, gas turbine 245, exhaust collector 265, andexhaust stack 266) within the transport that may heat up during thepower generation operation. Operation and configuration of air intakeand exhaust module 250 and of the ventilation and cooling system ofpower generation transport 200 will be described in greater detail belowin connection with FIGS. 2A-6B.

Although the embodiments shown in FIGS. 2A-6B depict a single train ofcomponents with the air intake and exhaust module 250 disposed at therear end of the transport, this may not necessarily be the case. In analternate embodiment, the arrangement of the components could bereversed so that air intake and exhaust module 250 is disposed at thefront end of transport 200, followed by exhaust collector 265, turbine245, gear box 235, and generator 225, in that order from the front endof transport 200. In yet another embodiment (shown in FIGS. 8A-8B), twoindependent trains of components may be disposed on the transport suchthat one air intake and exhaust module is disposed at the front end anda second air intake and exhaust module is disposed at the rear end. Theembodiment shown in FIGS. 8A-8B is described in greater detail later.

FIGS. 2A-5 depict power generation transport 200 while power generationtransport 200 is in a transportation mode. FIG. 6A is a schematicdiagram showing a perspective view of an embodiment of air intake andexhaust module 250 disposed on power generation transport 200, whilepower generation transport 200 is in an operational mode. And FIG. 6B isa schematic diagram showing a perspective view of an embodiment of airintake and exhaust module 250 disposed on power generation transport200, while power generation transport 200 is in a transportation mode.To fit within the limited physical dimensions available at the rear endof the transport, air intake and exhaust module 250 may be configured sothat components for both the intake air flow passage (e.g., air inletfilter housing 255, intake air duct 260) and the exhaust air flowpassage (e.g., exhaust collector 265) are disposed on the same side(e.g., rear side, exhaust side, and the like) of gas turbine 245. Asexplained previously, air intake and exhaust module 250 may include airinlet filter housing 255, air inlet filter housing door 270, intake airduct 260 (including one or more duct portions), exhaust collector 265,exhaust stack 266, and exhaust air outlet 274.

Gas turbine air inlet filter housing 255 may include one or more airinlets and one or more air filters that are mounted along an end sidesurface (e.g., rear end surface) and/or on longitudinal side surfaces ofpower generation transport 200 to intake ambient air from the end sideof the transport for combustion by turbine 245. Combustion air may beair that is supplied to gas turbine 245 to aid in production ofmechanical energy. As shown most clearly in FIG. 6A, air inlet filterhousing 255 may include a plurality of air inlets and filters that aremounted as a two-dimensional grid or array of filters so as to extendsubstantially along a surface of the rear end side (e.g., a farthest aftend) of power generation transport 200. Although not shown in FIG. 6A,the plurality of air inlets and filters of air inlet filter housing 255may also be mounted on one or both longitudinal side surfaces that areadjacent to the rear end surface of power generation transport 200. Thearrangement of filter housing 255 or the number and arrangement of thegas turbine air inlets and filters of housing 255 is not intended to belimiting. Any number or arrangement of inlets and filters of filterhousing 255 may be employed depending on, e.g., the amount or volume ofclean air and the air flow dynamics needed to supply fresh combustionair to gas turbine 245 for the power generation operation, and the like.

As shown most clearly in FIGS. 6A and 6B, air inlet filter housing 255may be covered with air inlet filter housing door 270 to cover the airinlets and filters from the elements when the power generation transport200 is in the transportation mode (FIG. 6B). Door 270 may be coupled toa top end (or a side end) of housing 255 (or the frame of transport 200)by a coupling member (e.g., hinge) and may be controlled by an actuatingsystem so as to be pivotable between a closed position during thetransportation mode (FIG. 6B) and an open position during theoperational mode (FIG. 6A). In some embodiments, door 270 may bepivotable between the closed and open positions manually. In casetransport 200 is equipped with an actuating system, any suitablemechanism may be employed to mechanically actuate door 270 between theopen and closed positions. For example, the actuating system may beimplemented using a hydraulic system, an electric motor, arack-and-pinion system, a pneumatic system, a pulley-based system, andthe like. As shown in FIG. 6A, in the open position during theoperational mode, the door 270 may remain open to allow ambient air toeasily enter air inlet filter housing 255. During the operational mode,door 270 may also act as a roof that protects filters of air inletfilter housing 255 from environmental elements like sun, rain, snow,dust and the like. As shown in FIG. 6B, in the closed position duringthe transportation mode, door 270 may be controlled by the actuatingsystem to be closed to prevent damage to the air inlet filter housing255 during transportation, and provide increased aerodynamics andenhanced mobility of power generation transport 200 over a variety ofroadways.

As shown in FIGS. 2A-6B, the plurality of air inlets of air inlet filterhousing 255 may be fluidly coupled to intake air duct 260 (e.g., pipe,duct, passage, and the like). Intake air duct 260 may include one ormore duct portions that are serially coupled to each other and that runalong base frame 202 of transport 200 to extend from the rear end sideof transport 200 toward the front end side. For example, as shown inFIG. 2B, an intake air duct portion disposed proximally to air intakefilter housing 255 may include a tapered end 261 that is fluidly coupledvia a flange portion to an output side of air inlet filter housing 255to receive filtered air. The other end of the intake air duct portionmay be fluidly coupled in series to one or more additional intake airduct portions (or to inlet plenum 240) so as to define an intake airflow passage (e.g., intake air flow path) for gas turbine 225. As shownmost clearly in FIGS. 2A, 2B, and 5, the one or more duct portionsdefining intake air duct 260 of air intake and exhaust module 250 mayextend along base frame 202 of power generation transport 200 so as tobe disposed between base frame 202 on one side, and exhaust collector265, gas turbine 245, and inlet plenum 240 on the other side. Inletplenum 240 may be fluidly coupled to an intake port of gas turbine 245via a flange connection. Inlet plenum 240 may be configured to collectthe filtered intake air from gas turbine air inlet filter housing 255via intake air duct 260 and supply the intake air to gas turbine 245.

A distal end of an intake air duct portion proximal to inlet plenum 240may be fluidly coupled via a flange portion to inlet plenum 240 toprovide the intake air filtered by air inlet filter housing 255 to gasturbine 245 for the power generation operation. Air inlet filter housing255, intake air duct 260 (including one or more duct portions), andinlet plenum 240 may thus define a combustion intake air flow passage inwhich ambient air for combustion enters air inlet filter housing 255from the rear end side of power generation transport 200 (exhaust endside of gas turbine 245), the ambient air is filtered by one or morefilters of air inlet filter housing 255, and the filtered ambient air ischanneled via tapered end 261 (see FIG. 6B) of an intake air ductportion of intake air duct 260 to flow from the exhaust end side of gasturbine 245 toward the intake end side thereof. In the intake air flowpassage, the intake air channeled into intake air duct 260 flowsunderneath exhaust collector 265 and gas turbine 245 along base frame202 to enter inlet plenum 240 on the intake end side of gas turbine 245.As shown most clearly in FIG. 2B, intake air duct 260 may be disposed sothat a first (tapered) end 261 thereof is substantially perpendicular toair inlet filter housing 255, and a second (distal) end thereof issubstantially perpendicular to inlet plenum 240. As shown in FIGS. 2A-2Band 4-6B, the intake air flow passage may thus include a first angularsection defined by the flange coupling between air inlet filter housing255 and the first end of intake air duct 260, and a second angularsection defined by the flange coupling between inlet plenum 240 and thesecond end of intake air duct 260. Both the first end 261 and the secondend of air duct 260 may be tapered.

The intake air flow passage may thus extend from air inlet filterhousing 255 in a substantially downward sloping direction, and then in afirst substantially horizontal direction underneath exhaust collector265 and gas turbine 245 and along base frame 202 of transport 200. Theintake air flow passage at the second angular section may then change adirection of flow of the intake air from the first substantiallyhorizontal direction to a substantially vertical direction as the intakeair enters inlet plenum 240. The inlet plenum 240 may further include acurved portion (e.g., shaped like an elbow joint) that changes adirection of flow of the intake air from the substantially verticaldirection to a second substantially horizontal direction as the intakeair enters into gas turbine 245 for combustion. As is evident from thefigures, the second substantially horizontal direction of the intake airflow passage is opposite to the first substantially horizontaldirection. Thus, the first substantially horizontal direction, thesubstantially vertical direction, and the second substantiallyhorizontal direction of the intake air flow path define a substantially“U-shaped” intake air flow path. In some embodiments, the intake airflow passage may be configured for noise control and sound attenuation.For example, one or more of air inlet filter housing 255, one or moreduct portions of intake air duct 260, and inlet plenum 240 may beequipped with one or more sound dampening silencers that reduce noisefrom power generation transport 200 during operation.

Air intake and exhaust module 250 may further include exhaust collector265, exhaust stack 266, and air outlet 274 that collectively define anexhaust air flow passage (e.g., exhaust air flow path) in which exhaustair output from the exhaust port (e.g., exhaust end, exhaust, and thelike) of gas turbine 245 is released out into the atmosphere from airoutlet 274 disposed at the roof (e.g., ceiling or top side 305 in FIGS.3A-3B) of the enclosure of power generation transport 200. As shown inFIGS. 2A-2B and 4, exhaust collector 265 (e.g., exhaust diffuser) may bealigned and coupled with the exhaust port of gas turbine 245 to collectexhaust air and supply the exhaust air to exhaust stack 266. Exhauststack 266 may be vertically coupled so as to be stacked on top ofexhaust collector 265 (i.e., exhaust stack 266 positioned on top ofexhaust collector 265). Any suitable arrangement and coupling betweenexhaust collector 265 and exhaust stack 266 may be employed so thatexhaust collector 265 and exhaust stack 266 may be housed withindimensions of power generation transport 200 (including underbelly trussor skid of transport 200). For example, as shown in FIGS. 2A-2B and 6B,exhaust collector 265 may include an upward curved portion 264 that isaligned and coupled with exhaust stack 266 positioned on top of theupward curved portion 264. Alternately, exhaust collector 265 andexhaust stack 266 may be integrally formed as a single component. Theexhaust air flow passage defined by exhaust collector 265, exhaust stack266, and air outlet 274 may thus extend from the exhaust port of gasturbine 245 and through a passage defined by exhaust collector 265. Theexhaust end flow passage may then extend upward due to the upward curvedportion 264 of exhaust collector 265 so as to change a direction of flowof the exhaust air from a substantially horizontal direction to asubstantially vertical direction. The exhaust air flow passage may thenextend substantially vertically through exhaust stack 266 and air outlet274. As shown in FIG. 2A, an upper end of exhaust stack 266 may be flushwith the roof or a top side of the enclosure of power generationtransport 200. In some embodiments, gas turbine exhaust collector 265and exhaust stack 266 may be configured for noise control and soundattenuation. For example, exhaust collector 265 and/or exhaust stack 266may comprise a plurality of sound dampening silencers that reduce noisefrom power generation transport 200 during operation. The exhaust airflow passage may thus be configured to reduce exhaust noise and safelyrelease (extremely hot) exhaust air into the atmosphere without posingdanger to any equipment and/or an operator working in a vicinity ofpower generation transport 200.

As described above, both the intake air flow passage and the exhaust airflow passage of air intake and exhaust module 250 begin on the same side(e.g., rear side, exhaust end side, and the like) of gas turbine 250,with the intake air flow path passing underneath exhaust collector 265and turbine 245 from the exhaust side to the intake side to be fed toinlet plenum 240 so as to define a substantially “U-shaped” intake airflow path. Air inlet filter housing 255 of air intake and exhaust module250 may thus be provided on a side of gas turbine 245 that is oppositeto the air intake port side.

As shown most clearly in FIGS. 3A-3B, 4 and 5, air outlet 274 of airintake and exhaust module 250 may be covered with air outlet cover 275(e.g., flap, lid, and the like) to cover air outlet 274, and to protectexhaust collector 265, and exhaust stack 266 from environmental elementslike rain, snow, dust and the like when the power generation transport200 is in the transportation mode (FIG. 6B). Flap 275 may be disposed soas to be flush with the roof of the enclosure of power generationtransport 200, and may be coupled to a frame of the roof of transport200 by a coupling member (e.g., hinge) and may be controlled by anactuating system so as to be pivotable between a closed position duringthe transportation mode (FIGS. 3A-3B, 4 and 5) and an open position (notshown) during the operational mode. Any suitable mechanism may beemployed to mechanically actuate cover 275 between the open and closedpositions. For example, the actuating system may be implemented using ahydraulic system, an electric motor, a rack-and-pinion system, apneumatic system, a pulley-based system, and the like. Alternately,cover 275 may be gravity biased (or spring-loaded) in the closedposition and adapted to open during the operational mode due to thepressure of the exhaust expelled from exhaust collector 265 and exhauststack 266. During the operational mode, cover 275 may remain in the openposition to release exhaust air to the ambient environment. During thetransportation mode, cover 275 may be controlled by the actuating systemor other mechanism (e.g., manually) to be closed to provide increasedaerodynamics and enhanced mobility of power generation transport 200over a variety of roadways. Power generation transport 200 may beconfigured to be converted from the operational mode to transportationmode and vice-versa without attaching to an external transportationvehicle (e.g., a tractor or other type of motor vehicle, externalmechanical means, external mechanical apparatus, and the like).

As explained previously, power generation transport 200 may further beequipped with the ventilation and cooling system configured to provideventilation air to ventilate an interior of the enclosure or one or morecompartments of power generation transport 200, and further providecooling air to cool one or more components disposed on transport 200that may heat up during the power generation operation. As shown inFIGS. 2A-6B, the ventilation and cooling system may include black startgenerator air outlet 210A (FIGS. 3A-3B); one or more generator airoutlets 226A (FIGS. 3A-3B); one or more ventilation and cooling airinlets or louvers 285 (FIGS. 3A-4); one or more exhaust openings 280(e.g., passages, channels, and the like; FIGS. 4-6B); ventilation andcooling air fans and motors (not shown) disposed in exhaust openings280; and one or more air outlets 273 (FIG. 6B). The enclosure (notshown) of power generation transport 200 may include on top, side, orend surfaces thereof, cavities corresponding to black start generatorair outlet 210A, generator air outlets 226A, ventilation and cooling airinlet louvers 285, one or more air outlets 273, and exhaust air outlet274.

As shown in FIGS. 4-5 and 6B, one or more exhaust openings 280 may beprovided on power generation transport 200 to exhaust ventilation andcooling air via air outlets 273 disposed on the roof of the enclosure oftransport 200. In some embodiments, exhaust openings 280 may be definedso as to surround exhaust collector 265 and exhaust stack 266 on allsides thereof. That is, as shown most clearly in FIG. 5, a connectionwall where the exhaust port of gas turbine 245 connects to the intake ofexhaust collector 265, a plurality of exhaust openings 280 are disposedso as to surround the intake of exhaust collector 265. The plurality ofexhaust openings 280 may be equipped with exhaust fans to draw in freshair for ventilation and cooling of generator 225, gearbox 235, and gasturbine 245, and release the air out into the ambient atmosphere via airoutlets 273 disposed so as to surround exhaust air outlet 274 at theroof of the enclosure. Exhaust openings 280 may define an annular spaceor compartment between an external peripheral surface of exhaustcollector 265 and exhaust stack 266, and an internal peripheral surfaceof the enclosure of transport 200 and a (top-side) outer surface ofintake air duct 260.

By operating the exhaust fans disposed in a ventilation and cooling airpassage defined by exhaust openings 280, ambient air may be drawn intothe enclosure of power generation transport 200 for ventilation andcooling. The ambient air may be drawn into the enclosure via ventilationand cooling air inlet louvers 285. Ventilation and cooling air inletlouvers 285 may be disposed on one or both of the longitudinal sides,and an end side of the enclosure of transport 200. The ambient air thatis drawn in via the inlets 285 and made to flow back around generator225, gear box 235, and gas turbine 245 would ventilate and also cool thecompartment of generator 225, gear box 235, and gas turbine 245 duringoperation. The drawn in fresh air coming in through both sides and/or anend face of the trailer may flow through the length of the enclosure,before it is released through exhaust openings 280, via the annularspace or compartment disposed around exhaust collector 265 and exhauststack 266, and out of the trailer through air outlets 273 at theceiling. When not in operation, air outlets 273 may be covered with thesame flap 275 that covers air outlet 274 for combustion air exhaust. Theventilation and cooling air passage may thus extend from inlets 285, runalong the length of the trailer where generator 225, gear box 235, andgas turbine 245 are disposed. The ventilation and cooling air passagemay further extend along the annular space or compartment defined by theexternal peripheral surface of exhaust collector 265 and exhaust stack266, and the internal peripheral surface of the enclosure of transport200 and the top surface of air duct 260, and then exit the enclosure oftransport 200 from air outlets 273 disposed surrounding exhaust airoutlet 274 of the exhaust air flow passage at the roof of the enclosure.

Thus, as best shown in FIG. 6B, ventilation air flowing out via exhaustopenings 280 and through the annular compartment or space along theexternal peripheral surface of exhaust collector 265 and exhaust stack266 may come out on each side of exhaust collector 265 and exhaust stack266 (e.g., underneath, on both sides, and/or on top of exhaust collector265 when viewed in the longitudinal direction of transport 200) so thatthe filtered combustion air flowing in the intake air flow passage fromtapered end 261 of intake air duct 260 toward inlet plenum 240 is notheated by the hot exhaust air flowing in the exhaust air flow passagefrom exhaust collector 265 and along upward curved portion 264 ofexhaust collector 265 toward exhaust stack 266. In other words,ventilation air entering the enclosure via inlets 285 may be circulatedthrough the exhaust fans disposed in exhaust openings 280 to create anair insulation on all sides and all around (e.g., a periphery of)exhaust collector 265 and exhaust stack 266. The air insulation createdby the ventilation and cooling air flowing through the ventilation andcooling air passage in the annular space or compartment may keep theexternal surface of the intake air flow passage (e.g., external topsurface of intake air duct 260 and tapered end 261 facing exhaustcollector 265) that carries filtered combustion air for combustion bygas turbine 245 from being heated. Thus, the ventilation and coolingsystem uses fresh ambient air to ventilate and cool radiated heat fromgenerator 225, radiated heat from gear box 235, radiated heat from gasturbine 245, radiated heat from exhaust collector 265, and radiated heatfrom exhaust stack 266, and additionally protect the intake combustionair in the intake air flow passage from being heated by the exhaust airin the exhaust air flow passage.

To further cool generator 225 during operation, generator 225 may beequipped with air ventilation fans internal and/or external to generator225 to draw air into a compartment of generator 225 via air inlets 285,provide the drawn air to cool generator 225, and discharge air out onthe top and/or sides via generator air outlets 226A. Other embodimentsmay have outlets 226A positioned on different locations of the enclosurefor generator 225. In one embodiment, air inlets 285 may be inletlouvres and outlets 210A, 226A, 273, and 274 may be outlet louvres thatprotect the interior of the enclosure from weather elements. A separategenerator ventilation stack unit may be mounted on the top and/or sideof power generation transport 200.

By adapting air intake and exhaust module 250 to be mounted on thesame/single transport as the transport for inlet plenum 240, gas turbine245, exhaust collector 265, and generator 225, power generationtransport 200 provides a relatively quick rig-up and/or rig-down thateliminates the use of heavy lift cranes, forklifts, and/or any otherexternal mechanical means or apparatus at the operational site. Toimprove mobility over a variety of roadways, power generation transport200 in FIGS. 2A-6B may have a maximum height of about 13 feet and 6inches, a maximum width of about 8 feet and 6 inches, and a maximumlength of about 70 feet. Further, power generation transport 200 maycomprise at least three axles used to support and distribute the weighton power generation transport 200. Other embodiments of power generationtransport 200 may be transports that exceed three axles depending on thetotal transport weight. The dimensions and the number of axles may beadjusted to allow for transport over roadways that typically mandatecertain height, length, and weight restrictions.

FIG. 7 is a schematic diagram showing a perspective view of anembodiment of intake and exhaust module 750 of power generationtransport equipped with a heat exchanger. Components of the powergeneration transport shown in FIG. 7 that are the same as those of powergeneration transport 200 of FIGS. 2A-6B are labeled with the samereference numerals and detailed description thereof is omitted here.Components corresponding to the intake air flow passage of intake andexhaust module 750 of FIG. 7 are the same as components corresponding tothe intake air flow passage of intake and exhaust module 250 of FIGS.2A-6B. With respect to components corresponding to the exhaust air flowpassage of intake and exhaust module 750 of FIG. 7, heat exchangercomponent 765 replaces one or both of exhaust collector 265 and exhauststack 266 of the exhaust air flow passage of intake and exhaust module250, or be provided in addition thereto. Similarly to the exhaust airflow passage of intake and exhaust module 250, exhaust air from gasturbine 245 may flow through the exhaust air flow passage of intake andexhaust module 750 to exhaust through air outlet 274 disposed at theroof of the enclosure of the power generation transport. However, theexhaust air flowing through the exhaust air flow passage of intake andexhaust module 750 may flow through heat exchanger component 765.

Heat exchanger component 765 may be configured to recover heat energyfrom the exhaust air of gas turbine 245 and utilize the recovered heatenergy for predetermined applications or use cases. For example, heatexchanger component 765 could include heat exchanger coils that aredisposed in the exhaust air flow passage defined by heat exchangercomponent 765 and that allow source fluid (e.g., water) to flow throughthe coils via input and output plumbing connections 766 and 767. As thesource fluid flows within and through the heat exchanger coils, heatexchanger component 765 transfers thermal energy without transformingall of the source fluid into a gaseous state (e.g., steam). Morespecifically, exhaust air from gas turbine 245 provides thermal energyto one or more heat conducting elements, such as heat exchanger coils ofheat exchanger component 765. At the same time, source fluid traversesthrough the heat conducting elements to heat the source fluid inputthrough input plumbing connection 766 to a target temperature withouttransforming all of the source fluid into a gaseous state (e.g., steam).Afterwards, intake and exhaust module 750 may discharge the source fluidto one or more destinations via output plumbing connection 767. Theheated source fluid may be used, for example, to heat and prevent icingof air inlet filter housing 255 when power generation transport 200 isbeing operated in cold environments.

In the embodiment shown in FIG. 7, heat exchanger component 765 replacesone or both of exhaust collector 265 and exhaust stack 266 of theexhaust air flow passage of intake and exhaust module 250. However, inan alternate embodiment, heat exchanger component 765 may be provided inaddition to exhaust collector 265 and exhaust stack 266 of the exhaustair flow passage. In such an embodiment, heat exchanger component 765may be placed on the roof of the enclosure of the power generationtransport during the operational mode to recapture heat energy from theexhaust. For example, heat exchanger component 765 may be disposed onthe roof of the enclosure so as to be coupled with exhaust air outlet274 of intake and exhaust module 250 during operation.

FIG. 8A is a schematic diagram showing a perspective view of anotherembodiment of power generation transport 800. FIG. 8B is a schematicdiagram showing a top-profile view of another embodiment of powergeneration transport 800. Components of power generation transport 800shown in FIGS. 8A-8B that are the same as those of power generationtransport 200 of FIGS. 2A-6B are labeled with the same referencenumerals and detailed description thereof is omitted here. Powergeneration transport 200 shown in FIGS. 2A-6B illustrates a single traindesign in which a single turbine package is disposed on a singletrailer. That is, FIGS. 2A-6B illustrate a single train design in whichpower generation transport 200 is equipped with a single gas turbine245, a single generator 225, a single gear box 235, and a single airintake and exhaust module 250 that slides into the rear end of powergeneration transport 200. However, in an alternate embodiment shown inFIGS. 8A-8B, power generation transport 800 may have a dual independenttrain design in which two smaller turbine packages (e.g., GE gasturbines, Solar gas turbines, and the like) may be disposed on a singletrailer. That is, in the alternate embodiment shown in FIGS. 8A-8B,power generation transport 800 may be equipped with two independenttrains so that the single power generation transport 800 comprises twogenerators 225, two gear boxes 235, two gas turbines 245, and twoinstances of air intake and exhaust module 250 respectively disposed onboth ends of the trailer. The two independent trains of power generationtransport 800 may thus provide a power generation system with totalredundancy.

That is, the two independent trains of transport 800 may be operatedseparately or collectively to generate electric power based on loaddemands. Further, the two independent trains of transport 800 mayprovide total redundancy so that if one of the two independent trains isout of operation for maintenance or repair, power generation transport800 can still remain operational to generate mobile electric power usingthe other independent train disposed on the single trailer. Each of thetwo independent trains of power generation transport 800 may be equippedwith components and may be operable in the same manner as the singletrain of power generation transport 200 of FIGS. 2A-6B. For example,each of the two trains may have a corresponding separate (or shared)ventilation and cooling system that draws in fresh air via correspondinglouvers 285 for ventilation and cooling of the corresponding train ofcomponents (e.g., corresponding generator 225, corresponding gear box235, corresponding gas turbine 245, and corresponding exhaust collector265) and exhaust via corresponding air outlets on the ceiling of thetrailer (not shown). Further, each of the two independent trains mayhave a corresponding intake air flow passage and exhaust air flowpassage defined by the corresponding air intake and exhaust module 250disposed at the corresponding (e.g., front and rear) end of transport800.

Power generation transport 800 may further include control system 805(e.g., control cabinet, control electronics, and the like) to controlthe dual independent trains with integrated controls on the singletrailer package to run the two trains in parallel or independently.Control system 805 may enable power generation transport 800 to run thetwo trains fully independently or setup control so that the two trainscan sync to each other and run in conjunction with one another so as tooptimize overall performance metrics of transport 800 like emissions,efficiency, and the like. For example, control system 805 may beconfigured to independently ramp one of the two trains up or down duringoperation based on where the combined power of the two trains needs tobe. Each train of power generation transport 800 may include its owncontrol electronics including one or more synchronizers. Control system805 may control the control electronics of the two trains bycommunicatively coupling with the synchronizers of the two trains sothat the two trains can be synchronized to each other. Control system805 may thus be configured (in hardware and/or software) to run the twotrains fully independently or with a load distribution system to achieveload sharing or load balancing.

FIG. 9 is a flow chart of an embodiment of method 900 to provide amobile source of electricity for any operation requiring a mobile powersource. Method 900 may begin at block 905 by transporting a mobilesource of electricity (e.g., power generation transport 200 or 800) to aremote location. Method 900 may then move to block 910 and convert themobile source of electricity from transportation mode to operationalmode. The same transport 200 or 800 may be used during the conversionfrom transportation mode to operational mode. In other words, transportsare not added and/or removed when setting up the mobile source ofelectricity for operational mode. Additionally, method 900 may beperformed without the use of a forklift, crane, and/or other externalmechanical means to transition the mobile source of electricity intooperational mode. For example, at block 910, power generation transport200 or 800 may be converted from transportation mode to operational modeby setting door 270 and exhaust flap 275 to the open position (FIG. 6A)without requiring external mechanical apparatus, and supplyinghydrocarbon fuel to gas turbine 245 for the power generation operation.

Method 900 may then move to block 915 and generate electricity using themobile source of electricity to power a variety of operations requiringa mobile power source. In one embodiment, method 900 may generateelectricity by converting hydrocarbon fuel into electricity using a gasturbine generator. Method 900 may then move to block 920 and convert themobile source of electricity from operational mode to transportationmode without utilizing any external mechanical apparatus. Similar toblock 910, the conversion process for block 920 may use the sametransport without using a forklift, crane, and/or other externalmechanical means to transition the mobile source of electricity back totransportation mode. For example, at block 920, power generationtransport 200 or 800 may be converted from operational mode totransportation mode by setting door 270 and exhaust flap 275 to theclosed position (FIGS. 5 and 6B) without requiring external mechanicalapparatus. Method 900 may then move to block 925 to remove the mobilesource of electricity from the location after mobile power is no longerneeded.

At least one embodiment is disclosed and variations, combinations,and/or modifications of the embodiment(s) and/or features of theembodiment(s) made by a person having ordinary skill in the art arewithin the scope of the disclosure. Alternative embodiments that resultfrom combining, integrating, and/or omitting features of theembodiment(s) are also within the scope of the disclosure. Wherenumerical ranges or limitations are expressly stated, such expressranges or limitations may be understood to include iterative ranges orlimitations of like magnitude falling within the expressly stated rangesor limitations (e.g., from about 1 to about 10 includes, 2, 3, 4, etc.;greater than 0.10 includes 0.11, 0.12, 0.13, etc.). The use of the term“about” means ±10% of the subsequent number, unless otherwise stated.

Use of the term “optionally” with respect to any element of a claimmeans that the element is required, or alternatively, the element is notrequired, both alternatives being within the scope of the claim. Use ofbroader terms such as comprises, includes, and having may be understoodto provide support for narrower terms such as consisting of, consistingessentially of, and comprised substantially of. Accordingly, the scopeof protection is not limited by the description set out above but isdefined by the claims that follow, that scope including all equivalentsof the subject matter of the claims. Each and every claim isincorporated as further disclosure into the specification and the claimsare embodiment(s) of the present disclosure.

While several embodiments have been provided in the present disclosure,it should be understood that the disclosed systems and methods might beembodied in many other specific forms without departing from the spiritor scope of the present disclosure. The present examples are to beconsidered as illustrative and not restrictive, and the intention is notto be limited to the details given herein. For example, the variouselements or components may be combined or integrated in another systemor certain features may be omitted, or not implemented.

In addition, techniques, systems, subsystems, and methods described andillustrated in the various embodiments as discrete or separate may becombined or integrated with other systems, modules, techniques, ormethods without departing from the scope of the present disclosure.Other items shown or discussed as coupled or directly coupled orcommunicating with each other may be indirectly coupled or communicatingthrough some interface, device, or intermediate component whetherelectrically, mechanically, or otherwise.

Many other embodiments will be apparent to those of skill in the artupon reviewing the above description. The scope of the inventiontherefore should be determined with reference to the appended claims,along with the full scope of equivalents to which such claims areentitled. In the appended claims, the terms “including” and “in which”are used as the plain-English equivalents of the respective terms“comprising” and “wherein.”

1. A power generation transport comprising: a gas turbine; an inlet plenum coupled to an intake of the gas turbine; a generator driven by the gas turbine; an air intake and exhaust module including: an air inlet filter housing; an intake air duct coupled to the air inlet filter housing at a first end and to the inlet plenum at a second end; and an exhaust collector coupled to an exhaust of the gas turbine; and at least one base frame, wherein the at least one base frame mounts and aligns the gas turbine, the inlet plenum, the generator, and the air intake and exhaust module of the power generation transport.
 2. The power generation transport according to claim 1, wherein the intake air duct is mounted on the at least one base frame so as to be disposed underneath the gas turbine, and extend along the at least one base frame from an exhaust end side of the gas turbine to an intake end side, in a longitudinal direction of the power generation transport.
 3. The power generation transport according to claim 2, wherein: the intake air duct has a first duct portion and a second duct portion, a first end of the first duct portion is coupled to the air inlet filter housing on the exhaust end side of the gas turbine, and a second end of the first duct portion is coupled to a first end of the second duct portion, and a second end of the second duct portion is coupled to the inlet plenum on the intake end side of the gas turbine.
 4. The power generation transport according to claim 3, wherein the first and second duct portions are mounted on the power generation transport so that the first duct portion is disposed between the exhaust collector and the at least one base frame, and the second duct portion is disposed between the gas turbine and the at least one base frame.
 5. The power generation transport according to claim 3, wherein the first end of the first duct portion is coupled to the air inlet filter housing via a first flange portion, and the second end of the second duct portion is coupled to the inlet plenum via a second flange portion.
 6. The power generation transport according to claim 3, wherein the air inlet filter housing, the first and second duct portions, and the inlet plenum define an intake air flow path for intake of combustion air for the gas turbine, wherein the intake air flow path extends from a rear end surface of the power generation transport, passes underneath the exhaust collector and the gas turbine from the exhaust end side of the gas turbine to the intake end side along the at least one base frame, and enters the intake of the gas turbine via the inlet plenum.
 7. The power generation transport according to claim 3, wherein the first end of the first duct portion is tapered.
 8. The power generation transport according to claim 1, wherein the air intake and exhaust module is disposed at a rear end of the power generation transport.
 9. The power generation transport according to claim 8, wherein the air inlet filter housing is disposed on a surface of the rear end of the power generation transport, and wherein the power generation transport further comprises an air inlet filter housing door to cover the air inlet filter housing disposed on the rear end surface when the power generation transport is in a transportation mode.
 10. The power generation transport according to claim 1, wherein the exhaust collector has an upward curved portion and defines an exhaust air flow path for exhaust air expelled from the gas turbine, wherein the exhaust air flow path extends from the exhaust of the gas turbine, passes through a flow passage defined by the exhaust collector, extends upward due to the upward curved portion of the exhaust collector, and ends at an exhaust air outlet disposed in a ceiling of an enclosure of the power generation transport.
 11. The power generation transport according to claim 10, wherein both the exhaust air outlet, and the air inlet filter housing are disposed on an exhaust end side of the gas turbine.
 12. The power generation transport according to claim 1, further comprising a ventilation and cooling system including: ventilation and cooling air inlets disposed on an intake end side of the gas turbine, and on at least one of a first longitudinal side, a second longitudinal side, and an end side of an enclosure of the power generation transport; one or more exhaust openings disposed around a periphery of the exhaust collector on an exhaust end side of the gas turbine; and one or more fans disposed in a ventilation and cooling air passage defined by the ventilation and cooling air inlets and the one or more exhaust openings.
 13. The power generation transport according to claim 12, wherein the ventilation and cooling air passage extends from the ventilation and cooling air inlets, runs along a length of the power generation transport where the generator and the gas turbine are disposed, extends thru an annular compartment defined between an external peripheral surface of the exhaust collector and an internal peripheral surface of the enclosure of the power generation transport transport, and ends at one or more air outlets disposed in a ceiling of the enclosure of the power generation transport, wherein the one or more air outlets surround an exhaust air outlet of an exhaust air flow path at the ceiling of the enclosure of the power generation transport.
 14. The power generation transport according to claim 13, wherein the ventilation and cooling air passage in the annular compartment creates a ventilation and cooling air insulation between an intake air flow path and the exhaust air flow path of the power generation transport to prevent intake air for combustion from heating.
 15. The power generation transport according to claim 14, further comprising an air outlet flap disposed so as to be flush with a roof of the enclosure of the power generation transport, wherein the flap covers the exhaust air outlet and the one or more air outlets for the ventilation and cooling air disposed at the ceiling of the enclosure of the power generation transport.
 16. The power generation transport according to claim 1, wherein the exhaust collector is a heat exchanger component including heat exchanger coils disposed in an exhaust air flow path defined by the exhaust collector and configured to recover heat energy from exhaust air expelled from the gas turbine.
 17. The power generation transport according to claim 1, wherein the gas turbine, the generator, the inlet plenum, and the air intake and exhaust module define a first train of components for a first power generation operation on the power generation transport, and wherein the power generation transport further comprises a second train of components including a second gas turbine, a second generator, a second inlet plenum, and a second air intake and exhaust module for a second power generation operation on the power generation transport, wherein the at least one base frame further mounts and aligns the second gas turbine, the second inlet plenum, the second generator, and the second air intake and exhaust module of the power generation transport.
 18. The power generation transport according to claim 17, wherein the air intake and exhaust module of the first train is disposed at a rear end of the power generation transport, and the second air intake and exhaust module of the second train is disposed at a front end of the power generation transport.
 19. The power generation transport according to claim 17, wherein the first and second independent trains provide total redundancy on the power generation transport, and are configured to operate one of independently of each other, and with load sharing or load balancing.
 20. An apparatus for providing mobile electric power comprising: a power generation transport including: a generator; a power source configured to drive the generator; an air inlet filter housing disposed on an exhaust end side of the power source; an inlet plenum coupled to the air inlet filter housing, and configured for providing air to the power source, wherein the inlet plenum is disposed on an intake end side of the power source; an intake air duct coupled to the air inlet filter housing at a first end thereof and to the inlet plenum at a second end; an exhaust collector configured for collecting exhaust from the power source, and disposed on the exhaust end side of the power source; wherein the air inlet filter housing, the inlet plenum, the exhaust collector, the power source, and the generator are mounted on the power generation transport.
 21. The apparatus for providing mobile electric power according to claim 20, wherein the intake air duct is disposed underneath the gas turbine and the exhaust collector so as to extend from the exhaust end side of the gas turbine to the intake end side in a longitudinal direction of the power generation transport.
 22. The apparatus for providing mobile electric power according to claim 20, wherein the air inlet filter housing is disposed on a rear end side of the power generation transport.
 23. The apparatus for providing mobile electric power according to claim 20, wherein the exhaust collector is a heat exchanger component including heat exchanger coils disposed in an exhaust air flow path defined by the exhaust collector and configured to recover heat energy from the exhaust expelled from the power source.
 24. The apparatus for providing mobile electric power according to claim 20, wherein the generator, the power source, the air inlet filter housing, the inlet plenum, the intake air duct, and the exhaust collector define a first train of components for a first power generation operation on the power generation transport, and wherein the power generation transport further comprises a second train of components including a second generator, a second power source, a second air inlet filter housing, a second inlet plenum, a second intake air duct, and a second exhaust collector for a second power generation operation on the power generation transport, wherein the air inlet filter housing of the first train is disposed at a rear end of the power generation transport, and the second air inlet filter housing of the second train is disposed at a front end of the power generation transport, and wherein the first and second trains provide total redundancy on the power generation transport, and are configured to operate one of independently of each other, and with load sharing or load balancing.
 25. A method for providing mobile electric power, the method comprising: setting an air inlet filter housing door at an end surface of a power generation transport to an open position in an operational mode of the power generation transport; supplying air to a gas turbine disposed on the power generation transport via an intake air flow passage, the intake air flow passage being defined by the air inlet filter housing, an intake air duct, and an inlet plenum, wherein the air inlet filter housing is disposed on an exhaust end side of the gas turbine, the intake air duct is coupled to the air inlet filter housing at a first end and to the inlet plenum at a second end, and the inlet plenum is disposed on an intake end side of the gas turbine; generating electricity by operating a generator disposed on the power generation transport with mechanical energy generated by operation of the gas turbine; expelling exhaust air from the gas turbine via an exhaust air flow passage, the exhaust air flow passage being defined by an exhaust collector disposed on the exhaust end side of the gas turbine, the exhaust air flow passage extending from an exhaust of the gas turbine, passing through a flow passage of the exhaust collector, and ending at an exhaust air outlet disposed on a ceiling of an enclosure of the power generation transport, wherein the air inlet filter housing is disposed at the exhaust end side of the gas turbine, and wherein the intake air flow passage passes underneath the exhaust collector and the gas turbine from the exhaust end side to the intake end side. 